The Board of the Malta Maritime Forum met with the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Alex Borg and the Shadow Minister for the Maritime Sector, Aviation and Employment, Hon Ivan Castillo.
The meeting was held shortly after the Forum’s announced commissioning of a second study about the Economic Contribution of the Maritime Industry which announcement was praised by Hon Dr Borg. The MMF Chairman, Mr Godwin Xerri explained how this second study builds on the previous report and how it complements the forthcoming National Maritime Transport Strategy to which the MMF also contributed actively.
During the exchange of views, in fact, the Opposition and the Forum agreed on the potential for growth in the Industry beyond ship registration, cruise-liner operations and transhipment. The meeting discussed areas that are ripe for further development and growth including ship finance, bunkering of new fuels and the establishment of a regional logistics hub, all of which were recommended in the Forum’s recent 2026 Budget Proposals position paper.
The meeting also served to discuss current issues of prime mutual interest which are acting as bottlenecks to future growth including international regulation, infrastructural limitations and an acute shortage of workers.
To this end, the meeting underlined the role of education and talent in ensuring further success for the industry. The MMF explained that as a matter of priority, it was consistently pressing for increased exposure of maritime careers and better coordination between the relevant stakeholders in this regard.
The Leader of the Opposition reaffirmed his Party’s belief that the maritime industry remains one of the most important for the Maltese economy and every initiative aimed at strengthening its competitiveness, employment and long-term resilience is a significant step forward. He reiterated the Opposition’s firm intentions to establish a dedicated maritime authority and a Minister for maritime affairs if elected to govern.
